St. Louis (KSDK) - St. Louis Board of Aldermen President Lewis announced his candidacy for mayor Wednesday.

Reed held a news conference at Sqwires Restaurant in Lafayette Square.

Reed has represented the city's 6th Ward for nearly eight years. He has served and overseen a number of boards and committees, including the Aldermanic Black Caucus, the Ways and Means committee and Port Authority.

He is expected to face Mayor Francis Slay in the Democratic primary next spring.

Slay has been mayor since 2001 and has been awarded landslide victories in ensuing years to keep his seat.

The two Democrats have recently squabbled over firefighter pensions with the mayor pushing for reform and the alderman working for their support in opposition of a reduction.

Since then, after years of cooperation, many have speculated the two have worked to distinguish themselves from one another, leading up to the anticipated announcement Wednesday.